Charging member, process for producing charging member, and process cartridge having the charging member

Abstract

A charging member has a conductive support, an elastic layer formed on the conductive support, and a tubing layer formed on the elastic layer. Fine particles are present between the tubing layer and a layer provided beneath the tubing layer is contact therewith.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A charging member comprising a conductive support, an elastic layer formed on the conductive support, and a tubing layer formed on the elastic layer; fine particles being present between said tubing layer and a layer provided beneath said tubing layer in contact therewith;   wherein said charging member is for use in electrophotography.   
     
     
       2. The charging member according to claim 1, wherein said fine particles have an average particle diameter of 50 μm or less. 
     
     
       3. The charging member according to claim 2, wherein said fine particles have an average particle diameter of from 0.01 μm to 50 μm. 
     
     
       4. The charging member according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said fine particles are fine particles of a material selected from the group consisting of a resin, a solid lubricant, a magnetic material, a metal oxide, a silica and a toner. 
     
     
       5. The charging member according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said charging member has the shape of a roller. 
     
     
       6. The charging member according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said charging member is a charging member having been remanufactured. 
     
     
       7. The charging member according to claim 1, wherein said charging member is provided in contact with an electrophotographic photosensitive member and electrostatically charges the electrophotographic photosensitive member upon application of a voltage. 
     
     
       8. A process for producing a charging member comprising a conductive support, an elastic layer formed on the conductive support, and a tubing layer formed on the elastic layer; said process comprising the step of; forming said tubing layer on said elastic layer by inserting to the inside of a tubing a support having at least said elastic layer, after fine particles have been made or left to adhere to at least one of the surface on which said tubing layer is formed and the inner surface of the tubing;   wherein said charging member is for use in electrophotography.   
     
     
       9. The process according to claim 8, wherein said fine particles have an average particle diameter of 50 μm or less. 
     
     
       10. The process according to claim 9, wherein said fine particles have an average particle diameter of from 0.01 μm to 50 μm. 
     
     
       11. The process according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein said fine particles are fine particles of a material selected from the group consisting of a resin, a solid lubricant, a magnetic material, a metal oxide, a silica and a toner. 
     
     
       12. The process according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein said charging member has the shape of a roller. 
     
     
       13. The process according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein said production process is a process for remanufacturing the charging member. 
     
     
       14. The process according to claim 8, wherein said charging member is provided in contact with an electrophotographic photosensitive member and electrostatically charges the electrophotographic photosensitive member upon application of a voltage. 
     
     
       15. A process cartridge comprising a charging means having a charging member and an additional means selected from the group consisting of an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a developing means and a cleaning means; said charging member having an elastic layer on a conductive support and a tubing layer on the elastic layer;   fine particles being present between said tubing layer and a layer provided beneath said tubing layer in contact therewith; and   said charging member and said additional means being integrally supported in and detachable from the body of an electrophotographic apparatus.   
     
     
       16. The process cartridge according to claim 15, wherein said fine particles have an average particle diameter of 50 μm or less. 
     
     
       17. The process cartridge according to claim 16, wherein said fine particles have an average particle diameter of from 0.01 μm to 50 μm. 
     
     
       18. The process cartridge according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein said fine particles are fine particles of a material selected from the group consisting of a resin, a solid lubricant, a magnetic material, a metal oxide, a silica and a toner. 
     
     
       19. The process cartridge according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein said charging member is provided in contact with the electrophotographic photosensitive member. 
     
     
       20. The process cartridge according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein said charging member has the shape of a roller. 
     
     
       21. The process cartridge according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein said charging member is a charging member having been remanufactured.